The Power of Observation

From an earlier walk we found this perfectly camouflaged katydid perfectly blending in with the shadows.

 

Fruit Of The Vine

From our walk we took a moment to check on our burgeoning vineyard - wild grape, likely Vitis riparia - Riverbank Grape or Frost Grape.  

Seems like too much work when I can just purchase Merlot by the box; nevertheless, perhaps there is wine-making in my future? 

Late Pollinator

 

From our walk I am pleased to report that the Indiangrass is flowering.

Yes, grass does bloom.

One of the earliest warm season grasses to set seed, this prairie tall grass forms upright clumps with blue-green summer foliage that turns gold in the fall.

It is tolerant of a wide range of soils including the crappy heavy clay soils around these parts. 

Many species of grasshoppers and caterpillars feed on Sorghastrum nutans.  In turn,  these insects are important food sources for upland game birds and song birds, where they will also find ideal nesting habitat in stands of tall prairie grasses such as this.
 

Autumn

From our walk this morning there was more than a whiff of autumn in the air.

There was also silky dogwood - Cornus amomum.

This deciduous shrub has an open-rounded form and features tiny yellowish-white flowers in flat-topped clusters in late spring to early summer, followed by attractive berry-like drupes that ripen from white to blue in late summer.

It is typically found in moist lowland areas, such as swamp borders, floodplains, and along streams and ponds.

The berries are edible for birds and wildlife. The berries can be used in teas or other preparations when ripe but are otherwise toxic to people. 

Situational Awareness

From one of our morning walks we kept a sharp eye peeled and took note of the acorn crop materializing on the swamp and bur oaks.  Deer hunting should be good this fall with natural mast food sources.

And we spied a nest.  My first impression was that it was a paper wasp nest.  Yet too small - slightly larger than my clenched fist.  It was of woven grass and paper birch bark bits all-over.  It was a cup-style bird nest and superbly camouflaged. 

Having never identified one previously Google Image tells me that a red-eyed vireo constructed this home.

Another first.  

Late Summer Blooms

From our walk there was white turtlehead (Chelone glabra) is a native perennial wildflower known for its distinctive white, two-lipped flowers that resemble a turtle's head. It thrives in moist to wet soils, such as those found in swamps, stream banks, and rain gardens, and prefers full sun to partial shade. This plant is a valuable host for the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly and attracts pollinators like bumblebees and hummingbirds.

 

Summer Blooms And A Bonus

From our walk yesterday morning it was much warmer.  Nevertheless, there was Great Blue Lobelia, bumblebees on Joe Pye Weed and Pileated Woodpecker wood working.  They'll keep at it until they disassemble that snag.

 

Trails and wildlife openings are complete! 

 

Summer Blooms

It's gotten cooler the last couple of days and we've been delighted to turn-off the AC, open some windows and spend time outdoors for fresh air, exercise and chores.

From our walk yesterday morning there is stiff goldenrod, wild bergamot (bee balm), black-eyed Susans and flowering turkey foot (big bluestem)….

 

Situational Awareness

From our walk this morning we found swamp and bur oak acorns.  The critters gonna love all this mast.

And the big bluestem was pollinating. 

Yes, grass pollinates.

It costs nothing to be aware of the natural world... 

Wildflower Blooms

From our walk this morning, and thanks to the newly-cleared trails, we added some new finds to our growing list of natural stuff…

Cardinal Flower

Wild Quinine (Feverfew)

Nodding Pink Onion (Lady's Leeks)

And a Yellow Garden Spider snacking on its prey 

Wildflower Blooms

From our morning walk the other day there were these showy, native flowers.

Bee Balm

Black-Eyed Susan

Blue Vervain

Compass Plant

Gray-Headed Coneflower

Joe Pye Weed

Obedient Plant

Prairie Blazing Star

Purple Coneflower 

Purple Prairie Clover

Fruit Of The Vine

From our walk today there was what appears to be a species of wild grape, likely Vitis riparia - Riverbank Grape or Frost Grape.

Will have to keep an eye on them.

Maybe scratch my forager itch if I can positively rule out something poisonous...

 

Morning Stroll

From our walk this morning there were yellow (grey-headed) coneflowers, black-eyed Susans and a second batch of eastern bluebirds.

 

Wildflower Blooms

Spring has been cooler and late this year; consequently this forb is about 2 to 3 weeks delayed.  From our walk this morning there was Penstemon digitalis - commonly known as Smooth Penstemon.

A member of the snapdragon family this showy native to the prairie is also called foxglove or beardtongue.  Native Americans and folk-healers have made use of this plant for medicinal purposes for both people and animals.   

On our pollinator habitat this is the first species to materialize in large quantities.  And there is an abundance of this blooming beauty. Acres upon acres of the stuff.  This flower appears during late spring or early summer for about a month and then it’s gone.  

Long-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, miner bees, butterflies, Sphinx moths, and hummingbirds favor this plant.  The name Beardtongue is a consequence of the hairy reproductive parts found within the flower.

Messenger of the Gods

Iris is the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow – who also happens to be the messenger of the gods. 

 

This name can also be given in reference to the word (which derives from the same Greek/modern Latin source) for the colored part of the eye and the flower.

 

 

From our walk this morning there was this: Iris versicolor - Northern Blue Flag.

 

 

Blue Flag Irises are native wetland plants, commonly found in wet meadows, marshes, along stream banks, and near ponds and lakes.

The Red Rocket

From a recent walk there is Doggo on the trail cameras....

 

Spring Blooms

This last weekend the Red Rocket and I took a walkabout to locate the wild blue flag iris.  I figured it was too early for blooms just yet and sure as shooting, they were not.  But we know where they lurk so you can expect some photos closer to the end of the month.

Nevertheless, some of the native shrubs were blooming-up a storm.

The pagoda dogwood...

And the red osier dogwood....

 Pollinator heaven. 

Dog Patch

Ruby in the rain garden

It's mud season around these parts and if you're a dog owner like me you know the struggle is real.  The good news is that it's warm enough and easy enough to hose-off the pooch after the daily walk reducing the amount of actual real mud added to the supply of dirty dog towels.

 

Bluebird Of Happiness

From our walk today we spotted an Eastern Bluebird. It didn’t take them very long to setup housekeeping.

In the last week we’ve spotted some transients headed north. Still waiting on the resident Baltimore Orioles to arrive….

 

The Red Rocket

One more video for today.

Our Red Rocket rocketing on our daily walk.....